Islamic scholars raise concern over ‘misleading’ fatwa

Islamic scholars have expressed concerns over the spread of misleading teaching and preaching by some clerics, urging them to deepen their knowledge about Sharia before stating their position on any Islamic matters.

This was the admonition by erudite Islamic scholars at the 16th annual Islamic International conference organized by Daaru Na’im Academy for Sharia Science of Nigeria held in Lagos with the theme, ‘The Jurisprudence of Fatwa and its relationship with Maqasid-based Fiqh’.

Speaking at the conference, the Director General, Daaru Na’im Academy for Sharia Science of Nigeria, Sheikh Imran Abdulmajeed Eleha, expressed dismay over brewing misleading teaching by clerics with their Fatwa.

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He described the emergence of clerics with their Fatwa as a major challenge, saying all hands must be on the desk to curb the spread.

“We saw the need to address the issue around fatwa at this year’s conference and to also curb misinformation about Sharia. It is also to ensure that fatwa is critical such that it is aligned with fundamental objectives of sharia,” he said.

The Undersecretary, Minister for Islamic Affairs, Dr. Awwad bin Sabti Al-Anazi, Saudi Arabia, cited Quranic verses, saying Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) laid emphasis on the importance of knowledge, urging clerics to seek knowledge in an effort to avoid passing wrong information to their congregation.

He highlighted the rules binding scholars in Saudi Arabia, saying they regulate their practices.

“The responsibility of keeping the fatwa within the limit allowed by Islam is a formal responsibility between the governments and the governed. In Saudi Arabia, there is a laid-down principle of how fatwa should be conducted and given.

“A body was established with the full authority of the government known as The Committee of Crown Scholars. Also, there is a grand mufti from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and it is by law the body that has the right to give fatwa, especially on issues that have general implications,” he said.

On his part, Dr Bilal ElHallak, US Delegation Representative, called for urgent intervention in a bid to tackle misleading messages, saying fatwa should not be based on personal opinions.

Prof. Abdulrazzaq Abdulmajeed Alaro, Islamic Law Department, University of Ilorin, raised concerns on the lopsidedness process of becoming a mufti, attributing it to the spread of misinformation.

“The theme of the conference calls for us to reflect on the realities in our environment and it gives us an opportunity to rethink some of the steps that we have either taken or allow some people to take that are creating confusion in the midst of Muslims in each state in Nigeria.

“When we talk of fatwa, it is something that is critical to the practice of the religion because it means when people are confused or lack knowledge of what to do, they need someone to tell them, this is what is the position of Islam but unfortunately a lot of people are giving fatwa without paying attention to the fundamental objectives of Islam itself,” he said.

Delegates at the conference came from countries around the world such as Saudi Arabia, USA, Oman, Algeria, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Congo, Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria.